DRUG DESCRIPTION

Leuprolide acetate is a synthetic nonapeptide analog of naturally occurring
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH or LH-RH). The analog possesses greater
potency than the natural hormone. The chemical name is 5-oxo-L-prolyl-L-histidyl-L?­tryptophyl-L-seryl-L-tyrosyl-D-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-arginyl-N-ethyl-L-prolinamide
acetate (salt) with the following structural formula:

LUPRON DEPOT–3 Month 11.25 mg is available in a prefilled dual-chamber syringe
containing sterile lyophilized microspheres which, when mixed with diluent,
become a suspension intended as an intramuscular injection to be given ONCE
EVERY THREE MONTHS.

During the manufacture of LUPRON DEPOT–3 Month 11.25 mg, acetic acid is lost,
leaving the peptide.

What are the possible side effects of leuprolide (Eligard, Lupron, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-Gyn, Lupron Depot-Ped)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

bone pain;

swelling, rapid weight gain;

pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medication was injected;

feeling like you might pass out;

painful or difficult urination;

...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Lupron Depot 11.25 mg »

What are the precautions when taking leuprolide acetate for depot suspension (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

Before using leuprolide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: vaginal bleeding of unknown cause.

When this medication is used regularly, it is expected that the menstrual period will stop (or decrease to light bleeding/spotting). Menstrual periods usually return within 3 months after treatment is stopped. Tell your doctor promptly if regular periods continue during treatment with leuprolide.

During the first few weeks of treatment, your hormone levels will actually increase before they decrease. This is a normal response by your body to this drug. This may result in a temporary worsening of your symptoms for a few weeks.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Rarely, a very serious problem with your pituitary gland (pituitary apoplexy) may occur, usually in the first hour to 2 weeks after your first injection. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these very serious side effects occur: sudden severe headache, sudden severe mental/mood changes (e.g., severe confusion, difficulty concentrating), vision changes, severe vomiting, fainting.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using leuprolide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: vaginal bleeding of unknown cause.

In adults, leuprolide may weaken your bones and increase your risk for bone loss (osteoporosis) if used for a long time because it reduces estrogen levels. Therefore, your doctor will carefully consider the length of treatment and monitor the health of your bones closely. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have osteoporosis or if you have any of the following risk factors for osteoporosis: long-term alcohol use, smoking, family history of osteoporosis and broken bones, use of certain medications (e.g., corticosteroids such as prednisone, certain anti-seizure drugs such as phenytoin).

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Leuprolide must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss reliable forms of birth control. Non-hormonal birth control methods (e.g., condoms, diaphragm with spermicide) are recommended during treatment with leuprolide. See also the Missed Dose section.

It is not known if leuprolide passes into breast milk. Because the effects of leuprolide on a nursing infant are unknown, breast-feeding is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Lupron Depot 11.25 mg Patient Information Including Side Effects

Generic Name: leuprolide (Pronunciation: LOO proe lide)

What are the possible side effects of leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

What is the most important information I should know about leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

How should I use leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

What happens if I miss a dose (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

What happens if I overdose (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

What should I avoid while using leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

What other drugs will affect leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

Where can I get more information?

What is leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

Leuprolide is a man-made form of a hormone that regulates many processes in the body. Leuprolide overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily. Leuprolide reduces the amount of testosterone in men or estrogen in women.

Leuprolide is used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. Leuprolide treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself. Use any other medications your doctor has prescribed to best treat your condition.

Leuprolide is used in women to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids.

Leuprolide is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children.

Leuprolide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

bone pain;

swelling, rapid weight gain;

pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medication was injected;

breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment;

dizziness, weakness, tired feeling;

hot flashes, night sweats, chills, clammy skin;

nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;

skin redness, itching, or scaling;

joint or muscle pain;

vaginal itching or discharge

breast swelling or tenderness;

testicle pain;

impotence, loss of interest in sex;

depression, sleep problems (insomnia), memory problems; or

redness, burning, itching, or swelling where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about leuprolide (Lupron Depot 11.25 mg)?

This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel), or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed by a doctor; or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before using leuprolide, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, asthma, migraines, heart or kidney disease, a history of depression, bone cancer affecting your spine, blood in your urine, or if you are unable to urinate.

Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of osteoporosis, or if you have any risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term. Long-term use of this medication may decrease bone density, possibly leading to osteoporosis.

Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct brand and strength prescribed by your doctor.